Smelt MTG Card
2012-07-13 - Number 149
2013-07-19 - Number 156
2018-07-13 - Number 158
2019-11-07 - Number 1062
2020-09-26 - Number M19-158
| Card sets | Released in 5 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 1 |
| Rarity | Common |
| Type | Instant |
Text of card
Destroy target artifact.
"Looks like that wasn't darksteel after all." —Koth of the Hammer
Cards like Smelt
Smelt is an efficient tool in the arsenal of Magic: The Gathering players, serving as an inexpensive option for artifact destruction. Much like its counterpart, Shatter, it provides a straightforward solution to dismantle an opponent’s artifacts. However, Smelt stands out due to its lower mana cost, requiring only one red mana compared to Shatter’s two. This difference in economy can be pivotal in games where timing and resource management are key.
Another peer in this category includes the card Crush. Similar to Smelt, it destroys target artifact but differs as it is part of a larger cycle of cards permitting the option to cycle it away for another card if it’s not immediately needed. This flexibility can often outweigh the additional mana cost in some strategic settings. Then there is Vandalblast, which not only allows for a single artifact to be destroyed at a low cost but can also be overloaded to remove all artifacts your opponents control, commanding a potentially game-changing board presence.
In evaluating the nuances between these cards, Smelt’s strength lies in its cost-effective, targeted removal, making it a desirable choice in decks that need to keep the board state clean of problematic artifacts while maintaining mana efficiency.
Cards similar to Smelt by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Smelt offers a targeted solution that efficiently removes key artifacts from the game, potentially dismantling your opponent’s setup without sacrificing your own card count.
Resource Acceleration: While Smelt itself doesn’t directly accelerate resources, removing an opponent’s mana-generating artifact can effectively slow them down, giving you a relative increase in tempo.
Instant Speed: The ability to play Smelt at instant speed gives you the flexibility to disrupt your adversary during their turn, potentially foiling crucial moments or interrupting combo sequences.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Smelt’s function does not necessitate discarding, but it’s restrictive in that it solely targets artifacts. In a diverse game state, this makes the card situational, potentially being a dead draw if the opponent has no artifacts or if artifact removal is not pivotal at that stage of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: While Smelt has a low mana value, costing a single red mana, this puts a slight constraint on deck-building. For multi-colored decks that don’t heavily favor red, Smelt can be difficult to cast on curve without adequate mana fixing resources in play.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: Although one red mana is inexpensive, when compared to alternative artifact removal options available across MTG’s expansive card pool, Smelt may not always be the most cost-effective choice. Other spells might offer additional benefits such as exile, broader destruction capabilities or secondary effects that provide a greater advantage.
Reasons to Include in Your Collection
Versatility: Smelt can be a staple in decks that need a low-cost answer to artifacts. Its ability to disrupt opponents’ strategies for a single red mana makes it a worthy inclusion in sideboards as well.
Combo Potential: This card works well with strategies that benefit from casting spells at instant speed or that aim to control the battlefield. Removing key artifacts can often be a turning point in a game when timed correctly.
Meta-Relevance: In metas heavy with artifact play, Smelt rises in value. Being both reactive and proactive, it deals with threats or clears the way for your win conditions efficiently.
How to beat
Smelt is a minimalist yet effective piece in the arsenal of red deck players, providing a straightforward solution to artifact destruction. This card’s advantage lies in its lean mana cost, requiring just one red mana to dismantle an opponent’s artifact. Such efficiency is a game-changer when it comes to maintaining tempo while disrupting the opposition’s strategy.
When considering the broader scope of artifact removal within MTG, we see alternatives like Shatter or Manic Vandal, which carry a higher mana cost. Smelt’s instant speed adds to its charm, allowing players to react at a moment’s notice without telegraphing their moves ahead of time. Despite lacking the extra utility of cards like Abrade, which can also target creatures, Smelt’s role in preserving momentum at a low resource commitment cannot be denied.
In battling against Smelt, key tactics include baiting it out with less crucial artifacts or relying on artifacts with built-in defenses like Darksteel Forge. By understanding Smelt’s direct and cost-efficient nature, you can strategically plan to either protect your valuable artifacts or pivot your strategy to minimize its impact on the battlefield, thus achieving mastery over this seemingly simple yet potent magic trick.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Smelt MTG card by a specific set like Magic 2013 and Magic 2014, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Smelt and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Smelt Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2012-07-13 and 2019-11-07. Illustrated by Zoltan Boros.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012-07-13 | Magic 2013 | M13 | 149 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 2 | 2013-07-19 | Magic 2014 | M14 | 156 | 2003 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 3 | 2018-07-13 | Core Set 2019 | M19 | 158 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 4 | 2019-11-07 | Mystery Booster | MB1 | 1062 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros | |
| 5 | The List | PLST | M19-158 | 2015 | Normal | Black | Zoltan Boros |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Smelt has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Historicbrawl | Legal |
| Historic | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Paupercommander | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Gladiator | Legal |
| Pioneer | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Modern | Legal |
| Pauper | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Explorer | Legal |
| Penny | Legal |
| Timeless | Legal |